Rounder #11661-0606-2 The Claire Lynch Band "Whatcha Gonna Do"
Folks I've got to tell you that I am not qualified to review this wonderful new Claire Lynch Band project "Whatcha Gonna Do." I sorta feel guilty trying to elevate myself to a level lofty enough to do this review, however, I will try to do it justice.
First, there is Claire. That should be enough to say, but unfortunately there are folks who really don't know who Claire Lynch is. It is their loss. If you are among those lost souls who have not heard the voice of an angel, then it is time you have. Her voice is ageless and has a clarity that defies description. Allow me to quote from guitarist, Jim Hurst, "My first experience hearing Claire's voice was in 1986............Her voice is elegant and pure, unlike anyone I had heard until that moment." Jim's description is valid, but words simply cannot describe Claire's voice. You simply must hear it. Period!
I guess from what you've read so far you're pretty sure this will be a completely positive review. You're right, except for one complaint. The CD is over much too quickly! I must include one more quote from Jim Hurst before moving on to the content of the project. Jim said, "She has a way with words that allows the listener to absorb the story right along with the performance." It can't be said any clearer. While Claire's voice is soothing to listen to, it also so clear that it impossible to not hear the words and thereby the story.
The first track starts with the sounds of Mark Shatz' bass playing a catchy line of notes, joined by Jim Hurst's guitar and then by the wonderful voice of Claire Lynch as she sings songwriter Dana Cooper's "Great Day in The Mornin.'" This is a super way to open the project; a bouncy and happy greeting. Irene Kelley and Claire joined forces to write "Highway" a beautiful song of reminiscing along the highway of life. Claire's voice is never better than here on "Highway." Claire states in her liner notes about "The Mockingbird's Voice," that it is; "The first cheatin' song I've ever cut..." Pat Alger and Kent Agee may have intended "The Mockingbird's Voice" to be a cheatin' song when they wrote it, but Claire sings of lost love in the most warm and wonderful way; really more of a love song than a cheatin' one. Claire opens "Face to Face" and Jim Hurst picks a repeat line of each phrase in a call-response way. Later Jim and Mark along with mandolinist Jason Thomas playfully interact with each other in this light hearted song of faith. Of course it is the amazing voice of Claire that makes this such an uplifting song. The only track on this project that has a voice other than Claire's is "That's What Makes You Strong." That voice is the author of the song, Jesse Winchester. It is a fine love song. Track six is the project's title song, "Whatcha Gonna Do?" It starts with a gorgeously haunting opening of guitar, bass and fiddle joined by Claire as she sings of life's crossroads and the choice, "Whatcha Gonna Do?" Mark Shatz gets "Crazy Train" started with a jazzy bass line as Claire hops on board the "Crazy Train" singing playfully about what to do about her 'ride.' Of "A Canary's Song" Claire states, "What beautiful language from Buddy (Mondlock) and Garth (Brooks) in expressing a miner's mindset of hope and destiny." While Buddy Mondlock and Garth Brooks may have, indeed, written a beautiful song, it is Claire's interpretation that makes it great. When I contacted Claire about the possibility of doing this review she replied with this, and I quote, " I might warn you that only one of the songs is really bluegrassy! The rest is a little different... but I hope you do like it." That song is Bill Monroe's "My Florida Sunshine." True, it's bluegrassy, but I cannot say it is my favorite one simply based on my being a self proclaimed "Bluegrass Nut!" Claire's voice transcends Bluegrass or any classification. Oh yeah, I do like the rest of it Claire. It is simply Claire Lynch. "Widow's Weeds" (Jennifer Kimball & Claire Lynch) opens with the old timey clawhammer banjo picking of Mark Shatz, followed by the the haunting words from Claire as she describes a widows life. "Barbed Wire Boys" describes those men who chose the life of ranching or farming (Two very diverse occupations that have similar life experiences.) and their influence on the writer of the song, Susan Werner. Claire expresses the words with great conviction and sincerity. The last track on "Whatcha Gonna Do" is entitled "The Woods of Sipsey." Claire is the writer of this song and I'll quote her to describe it; "Clara Phillips ('Granny' as we called her) had lived the city life, but preferred her beloved home in the backwoods of central Alabama. There she lived and died with no qualms whatsoever." Claire sings "The Woods of Sipsey" with a feeling of joy and loss all blended together into a melancholy but beautiful song.
Sometimes when I look back over a review I have written I find a lot of the words a bit stiff and completely unnecessary. Some of that may be true here, but I want you to leave this review with a warm feeling toward Claire Lynch's "Whatcha Gonna Do." It rivals anything she has done in the past and in many ways surpasses them. Only thing is, how can Claire outshine Claire? Impossible! I highly recommend this CD to any lover of music whether it be Bluegrass or simply great singing.
"NUFF SAID!"
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